A coalition of environmental justice organisations says the proposed coal mine will have an adverse effect on the functioning of downstream ecosystems
Environmental groups have been trying to halt a planned coal mine in a sensitive area since 2015
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s decision decried on environmental grounds
It will be a test case in South Africa for river pollution, rehabilitation and holding polluters accountable
The acid mine drainage happened at Khwezela Colliery’s south shaft, which had been sealed, but the volume of water exceeded the maximum capacity for treatment at the dosing site